Other loyalist strongholds included Kilwinning in Ayrshire and Larkhall,
Lanarkshire.

Royston and Calton in Glasgow’s east end were staunchly republican, as were
Plains and Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.

Hundreds of Scots flute bands and their thousands of members continue to
travel to Northern Ireland for annual parades.

Limerick University psychologist Prof Orla Muldoon believes Scotland holds a
unique status for the Northern Irish. She said: “It is in a peculiar
position in that both groups want to own its affection.

“A lot of Northern Ireland people identify very much with Scotland. They would
be comfortable living there irrespective of their religion.

“They wouldn’t say that about England, which could feel like a cold house, or
Ireland, which would be the same for Protestants and Unionists.” The
Troubles left more than 3,500 people dead by the time the 1998 Good
Friday Agreement brought relative peace after 30 years of brutal conflict.
The victims include many Scots soldiers.

The murder of Royal Highland Fusiliers John McCaig, 17, his brother Joseph,
18, and Dougald McAughey, 23, in 1971 was among the most shocking incidents.

They were shot dead and dumped in the street after being lured by an IRA
honeytrap on a night out in Belfast.

Prof Muldoon said she is not surprised exiled former terrorists like Adair
settled in Scotland.

She said: “When the Troubles ended and paramilitaries lost their grip, there
was more drug dealing and other organised crime.

“If you have people running across to Scotland as a safe haven, there’s a
good chance they’ve been pushed out. They would be seen as marginal and not
really engaging with the peace process.”